Automatic tobacco feed for cigar machines



Def. 1, 1935. "H. E. CARLSON 2,016,167

AUTOMATIC TOBACCO FEED FOR CIGAR MACHINES Filed Oct. 4, 1934 4Sheets-Sheet l /2, [3, a; 1'3 G -|l|l" II III I 012, I [Z ATTORNEY Get.1; 1935. E, CARLSON 2,016,167

AUTOMATIC TOBACCO FEED FOR CIGAR MACHINES Filed Oct. 4, 1954 4Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

INVENTOBg 2 Wm c ATTORN EY Oct. 1, 1935. H. E. CARLSON 2,016,167

AUTOMATIC TOBACCO FEED FOR CIGAR MACHINES Fi'led Oct. 4, 1954 4Sheets-Sheet 3 7 BY 1 I M ATTORNEY Oct. 1, 1935. H, CARLSON 2,016,167

AUTOMATIC TOBACCO FEED FOR CIGAR MACHINES Filed Oct. 4, 1954 4Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. '5

ATTORNEY tors,

Patented Oct. 1, 1935 AUTOMATIC TOBACCO FEED FOR CIGAR MACHINES HjalmarErik Carlson, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to International CigarMachinery. Company, a corporation oi New Jersey PATENT OFFICE PREISSUEDMAR 1 1941 Application October 4, 1934, Serial No. 746,888

22 Claims.

This invention relates to tobacco feeds for cigar machines, especiallythose machines wherein the filler for the cigar bunches is fedautomatically.

The main object of this invention is to automatically feed large,medium, or short scrap toe bacco in a continuous stream and level thestream during the feeding operation.

This object is achieved by means of a vertical intermittently rotatinghopper placed over a filler feeding channel formed by a number of feedbelts traveling in synchronism but in the opposite direction, to saidhopper. The latter is equipped with a stationary bottom provided with aslot overlying the channel and rotating agitaand the bottom edge of saidhopper is provided with serrations which during the feeding operationserve to arrange the scraps lengthwise of the channel and level thestream of tobacco in the channel in a most effective manner.

This improved tobacco feed may be used in connection with the Tobaccobutt making machine disclosed in the co-pending-application of SigurdClausen, S. N. 742,179, filed Aug. 30, 1934.

With this and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, theinvention consists in certain constructions and combinations hereinafterfully described and then specifically set forth in the claims hereuntoappended.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification andin which like characters of reference indicate the same or like parts:

Fig. 1 is a sectional'front elevation of the automatic tobacco feed;

Fig. 2 is a sectional end elevation of the same;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of tobacco feed mechanism;

Fig. 4 is. a front elevation of the same;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view in side elevation of the filler transfer androlling apron;

Fig. 6 is a detail end elevation partly in section of certain partsshown in Fig. 5.

In carrying the invention into effect there is provided a plurality oftraveling belts arranged to form a filler feeding channel, and a tobaccohopper rotating about a vertical axis and having a stationary bottomprovided with a slot overlying the channel, whereby a continuous streamof tobacco is placed in the channel. In the best constructionscontemplated, the hopper is provided with rotary agitators, and there isalso provided means for intermittently driving the' belts, hopper andagitators in synchronism. These various means and parts may be widelyvaried in construction within the scope of the claims for the particulardevice selected to illustrate the invention is but one of many possibleconcrete embodiments of the same.

The automatic tobacco feed hereinafter described is operated from themain drive'of the 6 cigar machine by means of a worm gear drive enclosedin housing l (Fig. 1); a shaft H constantly driven by said worm geardrive projecting out of housing It] and serving as the main drive shaftfor the tobacco feed.

The scrap tobacco T is deposited in an intermittently rotating verticalhopper l2 supported and driven by means of arms l3 on a central hubattached to a vertical shaft ll. To the latter is splined a drivingflange I equipped with a bar It bearing against a roller l1 pivoted to aclutch sleeve I8 slidably mounted on shaft 14. Clutch sleeve I 8 iscontrolled by means of a pair of arms I9 carrying a pair of rollersengaging with the upper fiange of clutch sleeve I 8. Be 20 tween thelatter and flange IS a tension spring 2| is interposed for the purposeof pressing the teeth 22 on the lower end of clutch sleeve l8 intoengagement with the notches 23 of another clutch sleeve 24 when arms l9and rollers 20 release 25 clutch sleeve l8. To the hub of clutch sleeve24, which is loosely mounted on shaft I4, is keyed a bevel gear 25meshing with a bevel gear 26 mounted on shaft I l. Shaft I4 and clutchsleeve 24 are supported by means of a bearing bracket 27 fastened to themain frame 28 of the cigar machine. Shaft II is supported in bearings ofmain frame 28, bracket 29 and bracket 3|! (Fig. 1). The latter isattached to bearing bracket 21 and the bracket 29 is fastened to mainframe 28. For the convenience of the attendant, shaft ll also carries ahand wheel 3|.

Arms l9 are mounted on a shaft 32 supported in bearings of bracket 21.Shaft 32 is actuated by means of an arm 33 which through rod 34 isconnected to a bell crank lever 35, one arm of lever 35 carrying a camroller 36. Bell crank lever 35 is loosely mounted on shaft H and isoperated by means of a cam piece 31 attached to a gear 38 mounted onshaft 39 to-intermittently disengage the clutch members l8 and 22. Gear38 is driven by means of a gear 40 fastened to shaft II. 'The bottom ofthe hopper I 2 consists of a stationary cone 4| mounted on a bottomplate 42 provided with a slot 42a overlying a filler feeding channel(Fig. 2) formed by two side guide belts 43 and a bottom guide belt 44(Figs. 2, 3, and 4). One side of the cone 4| is flattened along avertical plane coinciding with one side of the slot 42a to permit themass of tobacco in the hopper to be swept over the slot. The belts 43and 44 travel intermittently and. in synchronism with-hopper H, but in adirection opposite to the same, whereby the serrated lower edges of thehopper serve to level the stream of tobacco in the channel and preventchoking of the same.

For the purpose of illustrating a proper time relation between thehopper driving mechanism and the feed belt drive, one possible form ofthe latter is shown in Fig. 1; although it will be understood that thefeed belt drive may have other forms. In the feed belt drive shownherein a cam 45 (Fig. 1) is attached to shaft 39. A cam roller 41engaging in a cam track 46 of cam 45 is carried on sliding rod 48connected to an arm 49 loosely mounted on shaft 50 so that the arm 49 isperiodically oscillated. To lever 49 is pivoted a spring pawl 5|engaging a ratchet 52 fixed on shaft 50, the latter carrying a pulley 53driving the bottom guide belt 44 which is trained at its other end overan idler pulley 54 (Fig. 4) adiustabiy supported on feed brackets 55.Shaft 50 also carries a pair of bevel gears 56 (Fig. 1) meshing with apair of bevel gears 51 mounted on shafts 58 which carry pulleys 59driving the side. guide belts 43 which are also led over idler pulleys60 (Figs. 3 and 4) adjustably pivoted to bracket 55. While the justdescribed feed belt drive is merely a schematic illustration toillustrate proper time relation, a more practical drive and controlmechanism of feed belts 43 and 44 is shown in the co-pending applicationreferred to above, shaft 39 herein corresponding to shaft 5| of the feedbelt drive' shown in said application and belts 43 corresponding withbelts 24 and 25 thereof, and belt 44 corresponding with belt 23 therein.

In order to prevent the scrap tobacco T from sticking to the inside wallof the hopper i2, a number of vertical rotary agitators 6| are providedto contact said inner wall and rotate intermittently in the samedirection as the lat ter but at a different speed, thereby keeping thescrap tobacco T in the hopper l2 always moving so it can freely enterthe filter feeding channel through the slot 42a.

Agitators 6| are fastened to arms 62 of a central hub keyed to avertical sleeve shaft 63 (Fig. 1) loose on the vertical shaft l4. To thelower end of sleeve shaft 63 is fastened a gear 64 meshing with a gear65 fast on the hub of a gear 66 pivoted to bracket 21, and driven by agear 61 splined to vertical shaft l4.

. The bottom edge of the hopper I2 is provided with serrations 68 forthe purpose of giving the tobacco scraps a longitudinal direction whilebeing fed into the U shaped feed channel. The serrations 68 during therotation of hopper l2 also effeet a separation of the tobacco in thehopper from that advancing in the channel, thus leveling the tobacco inthe channel without disturbing the stream of tobacco.

A guide ring 69 mounted on bottom plate 42 and surrounding the bottomedge of the hopper l2 prevents the escape of any tobacco on its way tothe feed channel.

In connection with the tobacco feed channel and hopper above described,means are provided for separating a bunch length from the forward end ofthe stream conveyed by the channel and its associated belts and inaddition mechanism is provided for displacing this bunchlength directlyinto the loop of a rolling apron or chianti belt for forming a bunch.

This severing and displacing means includes a presser foot H whichcompresses the tobacco at ble of being pushed out over gates 12 and 13between confining walls 10, which gates are normal- 1y spring pressed tohorizontal position by springs 5 l4 surrounding their pintels 15. Thepresser foot is reciprocated in timed relation to the movement of thebelts 43 and 44 so as to press during the dwell of the belts, by meansfully shown in the application of Clausen, above identified. 10

A plunger 18 moves vertically downward toward the gates 12 and 13carrying with it a cutter or severing knife 11 which severe the bunchlength pushed out onto the gates by co-action with its ledger plate 18.As this plunger continues to 15 move downwardly a cam plate 19 having acurved lower edge engages the upper side of the gates 12 and 13 andforces them open. The plunger 16 then displaces the bunch lengthvertically out of line with the tobacco stream and into the loop 20 ofthe rolling apron 8|. A rolling pin 82 operates the apron in a mannerwell known in this art, to roll a binder placed upon the apron 8| aboutthe bunch length filler charge to form'a bunch. This rolling pin 82 issuitably guided on tracks 25 83 and 84 and is reciprocated by anoperating link 85 by means not shown, because well known in the art.

The presser foot I l, belts 43 and 44, plunger I5 and rolling pin 82 areoperated in proper timed 30 relation by means not shown, which are fullydisclosed in the application of Clausen above identified, to whichreference is made for further details.

It will be understood that the channel formed by 8 the belts 43 and 44is of a cross section such that the tobacco left therein by the levelingand separating edge of the hopper wall l2 will be just sumcient toprovide a bunch of the proper diameter when rolled. That is there willbe the 40 same amount of tobacco in a cross-sectional direction in thechannel as is desired through a crosssection of the filler of thefinished bunch.

It will be noted that the present construction provides a bunch formingmechanism which is 45 both automatic as to filler feeding and has a verysimple cross feed, in which there is minimum cutting of tobacco therebeing no cutting of the filler charge lengthwise of the charge, a commoncause of flat bunches. Owing to the direct cutting 50 and transferringof the tobacco from the forward end of the tobacco stream a minimumnumber of parts as well as the minimum handling of tobacco, is required.

The slot 42a like the channel is elongated and 55 relatively narrow,substantially bunch width,

.that is wide enough to receive the tobacco to form the width of onebunch. As the tobacco pieces are stirred around by the agitators 6|,elongated tobacco pieces which are lengthwise 60 of the slot will tendto fall through the slot, whereas ones crosswise of the slot will tendto pass by the slot or be deflected into position lengthwise of the slotso that the tendency of this feed is to lay the tobacco pieceslengthwise 65 of the slot and channel, it being diflicult for a leafarranged crosswise to enter and stay in the channel unless turned orshaken to lengthwise position. The short, direct and controlleddisplacement of the bunch length severed at the 70 forward end of thechannel, into the rolling apron retains this lengthwise arrangement ofscrap. This lengthwise arrangement of scrap is highly desirable informing scrap bunches since it improves the drawing qualities anduniformity of 75 the bunch and makes it possible to use larger scrap andto gain a closer approximation to long filler results in which piecesare laid by hand lengthwise of each other.

What is claimed is:

l. The combination with a plurality of traveling belts arranged to forma filler feeding channel, of a tobacco hopper rotating about a verticalaxis and having a stationary bottom provided with a slot overlying saidchannel, whereby a continuous stream of tobacco is placed in saidchannel.

2. The combination with a plurality of traveling belts arranged to forma flller feeding channel, of a tobacco hopper rotating about a verticalaxis, and having a stationary bottom provided with a slot overlying saidchannel whereby a continuous stream of tobacco is placed in saidchannel, and means for intermittently driving said belts and hopper insynchronism.

3. The combination with a plurality of belts arranged to form a fillerfeeding channel, of a tobacco hopper rotating about a vertical axis andhaving a stationary bottom provided with a slot overlying said channel,whereby a continuous stream of tobacco is placed in said channel, rotaryagitators in said hopper, and means for intermittently driving saidbelts, hopper and agitators in synchronism.

4. The combination with a plurality of traveling belts arranged to forma filler feeding channel, of a tobacco hopper rotating about a verticalaxis and having a stationary bottom provided with a slot overlying saidchannel, whereby a continuous stream of tobacco is placed in saidchannel, the bottom .edge of said hopper being serrated and arranged topass over said channel to level the stream of tobaccoand preventchoking,

5. The combination with a plurality of traveling belts arranged to forma filler feeding channel, of a tobacco hopper rotating about a verticalaxis and having a stationary bottom provided with a slot overlying saidchannel, whereby a continuous stream of tobacco is placed in saidchannel, the bottom edge of said hopper being serrated and arranged topass over said channel to level the stream of tobacco and preventchoking, and means for driving said belts and hopper in synchronism.

6. The combination with a plurality of traveling belts arranged to forma filler feeding channel, of a tobacco hopper rotating about a verticalaxis and having a stationary bottom provided with a slot overlying saidchannel, whereby a continuous stream of tobacco is placed in saidchannel, the bottom of said hopper including a stationary plate in whichsaid slot is formed, and a stationary cone above said plate.

'7. The combination with a plurality of traveling belts arranged to forma filler feeding channel, of a tobacco hopper rotating about a verticalaxis and having a stationary bottom provided with a slot overlying saidchannel, whereby a continuous stream of tobacco is placed in saidchannel, the bottom of said hopper including a stationary plate in whichsaid slot is formed and a stationary cone above said plate, and meansfor driving said belts and hopper in synchronism.

8. In, a cigar bunch machine, the'combination with a verticalintermittently rotating hopper for holding a supply of filler tobacco,of means for feeding tobacco from said hopper in a continuousapproximately bunch width stream, a cutter for. separating approximatelya bunch length from the forward end of said stream, means for dis, 1placing the bunch length sidewise relative to the length of said stream,out of line with said stream, and a rolling apron for rolling saidseparated and displaced bunch length to form a 5 with said stream, and arolling apron for rolling said separated and displaced bunch length toform a cigar bunch, said feeding means including devices acting on thepieces of filler tobacco to arrange the tobacco in said stream withelon- 20 gated pieces extending in a generally lengthwise directionrelative to the length of said stream whereby the pieces will bearranged lengthwise in the completed bunch.

10. In a cigar bunch machine, the combination 25 with a verticalintermittently rotating hopper for holding a supply of filler tobacco,of means for a feeding tobacco from said hopper in a. continuousapproximately bunch width stream, a cutter for separating approximatelya bunch length from 30 the forward end of said stream, means fordisplacing the bunch length sidewise relative to the length of saidstream, out of line with said stream, and a rolling apron for rollingsaid separated and displaced bunch length to form a 35 cigar bunch, saidfeeding means including devices acting on the pieces of filler tobaccoto arrange the tobacco in said stream with elongated pieces extending ina generally lengthwise direction relative to the length of said stream40 whereby the pieces will be arranged lengthwise in the completedbunch, said devices including a wall having an elongated slot throughwhich the pieces must pass to enter said stream.

11. In a cigar bunch machine, the combina- 45 tion with a verticalintermittently rotating hopper for holding a supply of filler tobacco,of means for feeding tobacco from said hopper in a continuousapproximately bunch width stream, a cutter for separating approximatelya bunch length from 5 the forward end of said stream, means fordisplacing the bunch length sidewise relative to the length of saidstream, out of line with said stream,

a rolling apron for rolling said separated and displaced bunch length toform a cigar bunch, a 55 channel confining said bunch width stream, andleveling means for leveling the tobacco in said channel to apredetermined height.

12. In a machine for forming cigar bunches, the combination with atobacco receiving channel, a 30 vertical intermittently rotating hopperfor bolding a supply of tobacco, means cooperating with said hopper andchannel for feeding tobacco from said hopper into said channel to form astream of tobacco therein, means coacting with said channel 66 toforward the stream of tobacco therein,.a-bunch rolling apron, a deviceat the forward end of said channel for separating a length from saidstream substantially equal to the length of the bunch to be formed, andmechanism, displacing said length 70 transversely of said channel, fortransferring said length into said apron.

13. In a machine for forming cigar bunches, the combination with atobacco receiving channel, of a vertical intermittently rotating hopperfor holding a supply of tobacco, means cooperating with said hopper andchannel for feeding tobacco from said hopper into said channel to form astream of tobacco therein, means coacting with said channel to forwardthe stream of tobacco, a bunch rolling apron, a device at the forwardend of said channel for separating a length from said streamsubstantially equal to the length of the bunch to be formed, andtransfer mechanism, displacing-said length transversely of said channel,for transferring said length into said apron, said tobacco feeding meansincluding instrumentali-- ties controlling the quantity of tobacco fedfrom said hopper to provide the stream with a crosssection sufficientwhen rolled to form a bunch of' the desired diameter.

14. The combination with a hopper for holding a supply of tobacco andhaving an outlet, of mechanism forming a channel adjacent said outletfor receiving tobacco from the hopper and forwarding it in a continuousstream, and means at said outlet for holding back and separating thetobacco at said outlet above said channel from that in the channel, saidmeans including a wall having its lower edge adjacent the upper side ofsaid channel traveling across said channel.

15. The combination with a hopper for holding a supply of tobacco andhaving an outlet, of mechanism forming a channel adjacent said outletfor receiving tobacco from the hopper and forwarding it in a continuousstream, and means at said outlet for holding back and separating thetobacco at said outlet above said channel from that in the channel, saidmeans including a wall having its lower edge adjacent the upper side ofsaid channel traveling across said channel, said edge being roughened.

16. The combination with a hopper for holding a supply of tobacco andhaving an outlet, of mechanism forming a channel adjacent said outletfor receiving tobacco from the hopper and forwarding it in a continuousstream, and means at said outlet for holding back and separating thetobacco at said outlet above said channel from that in the channel, saidmeans including a cylindrical wall rotating about a vertical axis withits lower edge adjacent the upper side of said channel.

1'7. In a cigar bunch machine, the combination with a hopper for holdinga'supply of filler tobacco, of means for feeding tobacco from saidhopper in a continuous approximately bunch width stream, a cutter forseparating approximately a bunch length from theforward end of saidstream, means for displacing the bunch length sidewise relative to thelength of said stream, out of line with said stream, and a rolling apronfor rolling said separated and displaced bunch length to form a cigarbunch, said hopper having an outlet, adjacent said feeding means, andmechanism at said outlet for separating and holding back surplus tobaccofrom said stream comprising a moving wall having a longitudinally 5traveling edge crossing said stream.

18. The combination with a vertical intermittently rotating hopper forholding a supply of tobacco and having an elongatedoutlet, ofmechanismforming a channel having moving bottom and side walls and anopen top side extending along and adjacent said outlet for receivingtobacco from the hopper and forwarding it in a continuous stream, andmeans at the forward side of said outlet for holding back and separatingthe tobacco above said channel from that in the channel.

, 19. In a cigar bunch machine, the combination with a tobacco hopperrotating about a vertical axis and having a stationary bottom providedwith an outlet, of means for feeding tobacco from said outlet in acontinuous stream, including rotary agitators in said hopper, means fordriving said agitators relative to said hopper past said outlet, saidagitators being arranged close to the outer wall of said hopper wherebythe .wall tends to clear the agitators and prevent wrapping of scrapsaround the same.

20. In a cigar bunch machine, the combination with a tobacco hopperrotating about a vertical 80 axis and having stationary bottom providedwith an outlet, of means for feeding a tobacco from said outlet in astream, including rotary agitators in said hopper, means for drivingsaid agitators at a speed greater than that of said hopper, and 85 acone above the bottom of said hopper coacting with said agitators todirect tobacco to said outlet.

21. A tobacco feed comprising a, generally cylindrical hopper, rotatableabout a vertical axis, and

having a stationary bottom, means rotating said 40 said hopper,agitators in the hopper, and means 50.

for revolving said agitators on said vertical axis relative to said:hopper to feed tobacco from said outlet, said agitators being positionedwith their lengths extending vertically along said cylindrical hopper insubstantially scraping relation therewith.

HJALMAR ERIK CARLSON.

